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NYPL Tri-City ValleyCats

Third Time Is No Charm as 'Cats Are Shutout Again

July 29, 2013 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Tri-City ValleyCats News Release


TROY, NY- There are offensive struggles, and then there is what the Tri-City ValleyCats are currently undergoing. The 'Cats lost for the fourth consecutive night on Monday, dropping a 2-0 final to the Connecticut Tigers. Tri-City has not scored in its last 27 innings, and has been shutout for three games in a row for the first time since 2010.

Unlike their 3-0 loss on Sunday, getting runners on base wasn't the problem for the 'Cats tonight. They had nine hits, as many as Connecticut, and twice had opportunities to drive in a runner from third. However, the ValleyCats either couldn't get the big hit when they needed it or ran themselves out of promising innings on the base paths to extend this season-worse slump. The last time Tri-City dropped four straight was during a five-game skid from August 30th-September 2nd of last year.

Manager Ed Romero held a closed-door meeting after the game, the second time that has happened this season. His main point in that session was to preach having a certain approach at the plate.

"You have to have a plan, you just can't go swinging at the plate...you have to know exactly what you want,' said Romero, whose team dropped to 26-16 with the defeat. "I told them just relax. We're taking a lot of first pitches for strikes; we need to be aggressive with that."

There were two innings in particular that stood out as particulaly frustrating for the 'Cats. In the fifth inning, James Ramsay bounced into an inning-ending double play with runners on the corners. Two innings later, with the bases loaded, Ramsay flew out to left, and the 'Cats never really threatened again.

Chris Cotton (3-2) took the loss for Tri-City despite a solid outing. The left-hander went five innings, allowing seven hits and one earned run. He allowed one of those hits to his college teammate at LSU, Raphael Rhymes, the right-fielder for Connecticut.

Cotton, even with a line good enough to win on most nights, was hard on himself after the game.

"I did give up some hits, I didn't get ahead, I fell behind in counts; that's something I can't do," said Cotton, whose ERA rose to 0.79. "I didn't put us in the right position. I gave up that one run...I didn't do the job and I got the loss to show."

The last time the ValleyCats had gone scoreless in three straight games was June 28th-30th, 2010. The team went on to win the New York-Penn League championship that year.

The 'Cats now embark on a six-game road trip through first State College and then Aberdeen. Tomorrow night, LHP Randall Fant (1-1, 1.63) starts for the ValleyCats and is opposed by RHP Andrew Pierce (0-2, 3.48) for the Spikes.

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New York-Penn League Stories from July 29, 2013


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